Swimming

Over the weekend we went to our good friend, Jack's birthday party at Goldfish Swim School. His parents own the place and Grant and Kate take weekly lessons there. If you live in the area we highly recommend it! :) Grant hasn't been able to swim since he got tubes in his ears several months ago because he was afraid they would hurt. But, he changed his tune when dad got in the water with him and offered to goof around. I think our problem is solved!

Christmas 2011

Here are my very late Christmas photos. I got a new computer for Christmas and I didn't know how to put photos on it so the blog has been a little sparse. There are some funny stories behind these pictures. The guy that so graciously dressed up as santa is my cousin's new Jewish fiancé. What a guy. Thank you, Joe! Another one of the pictures is the kids standing next this year's Christmas tree. I did no decorating this year. We had barely finished unpacking boxes when Christmas came around so I decided I was not going to "mess the place up" by unpacking my Christmas stuff. So, I found this old tree in the basement and set it up on the 23rd so we'd have somewhere to put our presents on Christmas morning. The kids seemed satisfied and that's all that really matters. Kate's big present for the year was a doll house and Grant's was a castle and I'm happy to report they are still playing with them every single day. This is the first year that has happened. The absolute best part of the season (besides celebrating Jesus) was having my brothers and sisters home and spending quality time together at mom and dad's. It was a Christmas I will never forget.

Miss Fancy Pants

Kate is a riot. She insists on wearing her black patent leather shoes to bed every night, without socks. She calls them her "house shoes." The other night she convinced Jim to let her go to bed wearing a black velvet skirt, tights and those shoes. How is she comfortable? She will not use a sheet, pillow or comforter.

During rest time every day she has been trying on ALL of her summer clothes that I hung way up high so this very thing wouldn't happen. But, my little monkey found a way. I explained to her how much work it is for me to rehang her clothes everyday and that she can only try on pajamas, bathing suits and other clothes that are in baskets and can easily be put away. (Yes, we have tons of dress up clothes but that is no fun anymore.) Just when I thought I would find her in some sort of predictable set of flannel pajamas, yesterday she surprised me by wearing Grant's socks, underwear and pants that were in the baskets. I guess there is no harm in that, I just didn't even think of telling her not to try on his clothes.

Besides dressing up all the time Kate can be found singing. Constantly. Mostly stringing lines of different songs from school and church together. I think it is really beautiful but it drives Grant crazy because it interferes with his need to constantly talk! Today he said, "Mom, she has been singing nonstop for two days and it is giving me a headache." We are trying to find a happy medium. One thing is for sure- it is never quiet around here!